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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hope in a Corner of My Heart" by Gina Campbell.]

4 out of 4 stars
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Every parent fears the loss of their child. For Julia, this fear became her reality. Author Gina Campbell shares the story of how Julia learned to cope in Hope in a Corner of My Heart: A Healing Journey Through the Dream – Logical World of Inner Metaphors.

In the 1980’s, counseling psychologist David Grove developed a counseling and coaching process called Clean Language. This method prevents the re-traumatization of patients and clients. Instead of revisiting the trauma, the counselor encourages the trauma survivor to discover and explore their inner metaphors. For example, if you are feeling very sad and someone asks you how you feel, you might say, “It feels like a vice is squeezing my heart.” Using the Clean Language method, the counselor would encourage you to visualize or draw this vice squeezing your heart. The literal visualization gives the client control of their situation. It is now up to the client to visualize a change and create the next step. Author, counselor, and life coach Gina Campbell and her clients have found the Clean Language method to be very helpful.

Julia, a woman in her mid-sixties, is married to a man fifteen years her senior. Most of Julia’s time is spent caring for her husband as his health continues to fail. Also, Julia’s daughter tragically died in a car accident. With Gina, Julia begins a journey of discovery and exploration of her internal metaphors in hopes that she will find peace again.

I was skeptical of this method of therapy when I began reading this book. However, I decided to try it, as the author suggested I should. There are instructions in the book to guide the reader through the therapy. I must admit that I found the practice to be relaxing and satisfying. Still, I think that a person in need of serious therapy would benefit from the coaching of a professional like Gina Campbell.

Julia was the perfect choice of subject for this book. Most parents feel that they could never cope with the loss of a child. It was inspiring to witness her journey to find peace and contentment. Julia was a likable and relatable person. I was emotionally invested in her treatment, and I hoped for her to find happiness again.

This is a well-written and well-organized book. There are two misspelled words in this book. These errors caused no distractions. The author takes care to explain each step of the therapy. It is plain to see that, as a counselor, Gina Campbell truly cares for her clients. However, I don’t think that it is a good idea to encourage people to work through this therapy on their own. Most likely, to find success with this method, one would need the guidance of a professional.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Julia’s heartbreak created an engaging story and presented a true need for successful treatment. I tried this method and found that it can work. Anyone seeking help to find inner peace would enjoy this book. It highlights the idea that we can all find peace and contentment within ourselves.

Seems interesting. A few years ago I drew a shadow hand that suffocated me and I managed to understand my condition better. I assume you are right and you need a proffesional to do this, but I guess you could try and see if it works by yourself. To get deeper in your problems, you actually do need a professional, so I totally agree here.

I absolutely love the title and the cover artwork on this. Seeing that it was about a woman who loses a child, I think that the title is fitting. I can't imagine going through such a horrible situation! This book sounds so good in that it can help people navigate such troubling waters to get themselves back on their feet after tragic circumstances. And to see that you tried the method and it worked, that makes me want to look into this one further. I think we all have had our troubles, some more horrific than others, but who doesn't need a little healing in their life? This one looks good.

Only a parent can understand how devastating it is to lose a child. To have a book like this to help one with such experience is quite welcoming . I love that the author has taken her time to take the readers through her therapy. This book is definitely a good read . Nice review!

The idea of a traumatised victim trying to make n it back up is rampant especially in countries where war was experienced. For Julia she had a specialist. Most victims live with it and gradually get over it while some don't . The writer made good relating the story to the life of someone in pain and fighting to live above the stigma trauma brings along. The fight was only won by the greatest force of life,“hope". Most traumatised victims need hope to weather through such storms. Nice work.

I wonder if the therapy may be very helpful with children who have suffered trauma, as it seems to be careful to avoid re-triggering the events. I applaud the author's genuine concern for her clients. You mentioned the author is a counselor and life coach, so I can understand your hesitation of encouraging readers to attempt therapy on their own; that's why psychiatrists and psychologists endure so much training. Thanks for a wonderful review!

Sounds like the author presents a new way to handle horrible and traumatic situations. The author chose to write about one of the most stressful situations a person can experience. I agree that professional help is necessary. At the same time, the people who suffer such tragedies need techniques to help them deal with their pain the rest of the time! Great review. Thanks.

Sounds like a handy book at times of need. Losing a child is not a experience I'm familiar with and heaven's forbid not even looking forward to, is a tough time. That pain is clearly unbearable. I hope this book provides comfort to those in need of it. Thank you for sharing this book through your review!

The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid! - Jane Austen

Sounds like a handy book at times of need. Losing a child is not a experience I'm familiar with and heaven's forbid not even looking forward to, is a tough time. That pain is clearly unbearable. I hope this book provides comfort to those in need of it. Thank you for sharing this book through your
Happiness is a cup of coffee and a good book!
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This is new to me and sounds quite unique. As someone who cannot draw worth a darn I wonder if that would be a struggle for some people trying to use this method. It's so sad that anyone has to find ways to cope with the trauma of losing a child. But if they have to at least they can have effective methods of expressing their emotions and learning to live with them.

I respond positively to this idea of metaphors for visualization. I wonder how hard/easy this is to accomplish in reality though? It isn't always easy to put words to your feelings. Perhaps the amount of reflective time necessary to truly settle on a fitting metaphor is an important part of the process?

Thanks for this review!

“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”
-Dr. Seuss